The vendor is required to provide to acquire interpreting services on an as-needed basis, emergency situations, and specialized services which provides approximately 2,000 hours of interpreting services annually.
- an interpreter may use a variety of communication modes to communicate the message properly to the consumer who is deaf, deaf/blind, hard of hearing, speech disability, etc. communication modes may include, and are not limited to: American sign language (ASL), oral interpreting-transliteration, cued speech, tactile signing, pidgin signed English (PSE), trilingual interpreting services (from whom English is not the primary language), real-time captioning also known as communication access real-time (cart), video relay services (VRS), video remote interpreting (VRI), etc.
- American Sign Language (ASL) is comparable in complexity and expressiveness to spoken languages. it is not a form of English; it has its own district grammatical structure, which must be mastered in the same way as the grammar of any other language. ASL differs from spoken language in that it is visual rather than auditory and is composed of precise hand shapes and movement.
- Oral interpreter –transliteration translates a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing; they possess the ability to understand and repeat the message and intent of the speech and mouth movements of the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing.
- Cued speech transliteration is a sound-based visual communication system that, in English, uses eight hand shapes in four different locations (“cues”) in combination with the natural mouth movements of speech, to make all the sounds of spoken language look different.
- Tactile/low vision interpreting signing involves interpretation for people who are blind as well as deaf by making manual signs into a person’s hands; when a request is made for tactile interpreting; note that this form of interpreting is taxing for interpreters and may require frequent interpreter switches or breaks.
- Pidgin sign English (PSE) is a term that refers to contact language or a blended form of English and ASL. Often used when d/deaf people and hearing people attempt to communicate.
- Trilingual interpreting requires that an interpreter be fluent in English, ASL, and another spoke language such as Spanish and French.
- Video remote interpreting (VRI) is a convenient professional interpreting service that enables deaf/hard of hearing (HOH) and hearing individuals who are in the same location to easily conduct conversations through an interpreter, using a platform, over a high-speed internet connection.
• VRI is for both deaf/hard of hearing and hearing individuals who need to converse with each other.
• VRI can take the place of scheduling a location interpreter to come onsite to a location.
- Communication access real-time (CART) is a system designed for meetings, forums, presentations, or training sessions.
- The transcribed text is real-time and either displayed on the user’s laptop or projected onto a large screen for an audience to read; this service provides deaf/hard of hearing cart users access to spoken works in real-time.
- On-site (in-person) CART services
• CART writers will arrive prepared with their stenographic equipment and a single laptop for displaying the written text.
• CART services will be responsible for providing the projector, the screen, and the cable that will connect the writer’s laptop to the projector.
• CART services will be Wi-Fi enabled for smart devices so that users can connect to receive text.
- Guarantee that each interpreter assigned is certified and/or qualified to provide the highest quality of communication for the setting and person being served.
- Document and maintain records of assignments in accordance with the contract, which will be submitted with monthly invoices.
- Provide certified and/or qualified interpreters for non-emergency assignments with less than two (2) days, forty-eight (48 hours) notice without charging extra emergency or last-minute fees.
- Provide one (1) qualified/certified interpreter for extended assignments without charging a higher rate if the program exceeds two hours; examples of programming include and are not limited to: after-school care (4 hours daily), summer day camps/playtimes (6-8 hours daily), trips and excursions (6-16 hours); may include workday or overnight; the interpreter will have natural breaks in service.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- A Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference Date: March 20, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: April 1, 2025